When you’re looking to stick to a mealtime budget, shopping smart is the best way to start! With grocery costs rising, there’s never been a better time to make the most of every single ingredient. But how do you make the best meals that stretch your budget? To save tastebuds from boredom and anything going to waste, start with quality ingredients that are simple to prep and that offer plenty of variety.
Shopping smart isn’t just about looking for deals. It’s also about buying items that you know you and your family will eat, planning meals to avoid turning to takeout, and relying on cost-effective choices that fit in with your needs. Delicious in myriad ways, rice is a kitchen workhorse that’s welcome from breakfast until dessert!
A versatile base for a week’s worth of meals, it’s also quick-cooking and stress-free. Available in a family-friendly 32 oz box, Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice is the type of pantry staple that makes it easy to cook affordable meals all week long, or for a crowd.
Working within a budget doesn’t mean a lifetime of dreary meals. Instead, view your budget as a challenge that can easily be met with a little knowhow and experimentation! For meals that stretch a long way, use these tips when planning your family’s budget-friendly weekly menu.
- The first rule in learning how to stretch a grocery budget is to get into the habit of never throwing food out. Repurpose leftovers and you’ll be amazed at what you can make. From cold chicken and day-old bread, to roast vegetables and leftover rice, last night’s scraps can turn into a wealth of dishes, including taco bowls, soups, casseroles and more.
- Batch cooking is a great way to stretch a dollar. Not only can you buy ingredients in bulk, which is often less expensive, but it also helps you stick to a plan. Make a big pot of beef chili on Sunday, and you can eat it again on Tuesday—instead of calling for takeout!
- Instead of cooking an entire meal to eat on two separate days, you can also batch cook base ingredients, such as Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice or Success® boil-in-bag tri-color quinoa. Ingredients that can turn into stir-fries, loaded grain bowls, soups, salads and more, these can be reinvented throughout the week and never go to waste.
- Instead of eating meat every day, view it as a once-in-a-while treat. Plant-based sources of protein, such as tofu and beans, are not only better for the planet and packed with energizing nutrients, they’re also less expensive than meat. If you crave a little meat in your dish, use less, bulking up the dish with veggies and grains.
- Never go shopping without first taking stock of what you have in the fridge and pantry. This will save you from buying multiples of one thing, and from buying ingredients that don’t fit in with your weekly food plan. Buying only what you need and using what you already have on hand are strategies that are guaranteed to bring you closer to your meal-budgeting goals.
Beef Thai Basil Fried Rice
An ideal home for your leftover Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, this simple, savory dish is a weeknight wonder. Ready in 25 minutes, it turns a small amount of marinated beef into an entire meal for four. With fragrant rice, sautéed meat and a pungent hoisin, soy and fish sauce blend, it’s as good as takeout, without the hefty price tag.
Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl
Want to keep diners happy? Rely on vibrant sauces for meals that snap tastebuds to attention! In this comforting rice dish, a sweet and savory glaze coats slices of tenderloin, with barely cooked veggies adding a touch of crunch. For a dish that comes together in minutes, prep the Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice and the marinated beef ahead of time.
Paella de Mariscos
Seafood not in your budget? Of course it is! A dish that makes a handful of shrimp and mussels feel like a lot, this riff on paella also includes paprika-scented rice and herbs for a classic flavor profile. Though this recipe is perfect for entertaining, it’s also simple enough to throw together on a weeknight.
Vegetable Biryani with Yellow Jasmine Rice
Chief among cheap meals that stretch a budget, this well-spiced biryani dish is a plant-based dream. Repurpose yesterday’s Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice in this turmeric-scented main made with a rainbow of stir-fried vegetables, garam masala and yogurt, for a creamy, tangy finish.
Vegan Chicken Burrito
When looking for meals that stretch your family’s food budget, don’t forget to consider vegan options. Entirely plant-based, this recipe relies on spiced sautéed mushrooms, beans, corn and Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice for every hearty bite. Topped with creamy avocado, vegan cheese, salsa and peppery cilantro, these burritos are every bit as comforting and tasty as their meaty counterparts.
Tuna Onigiri
Surprise the family with these delectable Japanese snacks. Despite their elegant look, these come together simply, with little more than Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice, a can of tuna, mayo, soy sauce and nori. If using day-old rice, sprinkle it with a little water, then reheat it gently in the microwave until it’s tender and malleable.
Peach Sticky Rice
Put dessert back on the table with this budget-friendly treat! Rich with coconut milk and sugar, Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice becomes silky, plush and irresistible. In summer, enjoy this topped with the season’s ripest fruit. In winter? Simply defrost frozen fruit or use canned.
Jalapeño Peach Chicken
Spice up chicken night with this delectable dish! Saucy and spicy, this unique recipe combines juicy chicken breasts with tender sautéed peaches and jalapeños. Served over fluffy Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, it’s warming and satisfying, and just the thing to keep dinnertime boredom at bay.
Sinangag Filipino Garlic Fried Rice
Family meals that stretch the food budget don’t get much better than this garlic-scented, Filipino-style fried rice. Tender and crisped in a sizzling skillet, Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice is a delightfully savory bed for fried eggs and any other toppings you have on hand. Double the recipe and you’ll have sorted out tomorrow’s lunch as you prep dinner!
